Lineage News Letter - October 2024

New Team Sponsor Alert: Domino’s Pizza of California, MD!

We are excited to announce Domino’s Pizza of California, MD, as our new team sponsor! Managed by Ronnie Hall, who has strong ties to our community, Domino’s is committed to supporting local youth programs. Ronnie moved to the area in the 6th grade and has worked with Domino’s for over 30 years. As someone who grew up locally, he is passionate about giving back by supporting youth programs that offer safe extracurricular activities and foster community involvement.

Ronnie believes that when one community member supports another, it creates a win-win for everyone. As part of this commitment, Domino’s of California, MD, will be providing free pizza coupons for all of our youth belt promotions going forward.

Additionally, Domino’s is leading a team for the St. Jude Walk/Run to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Their goal is to raise $30,000 to help kids facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Every donation makes a significant impact. You can join Team DMV in supporting St. Jude's lifesaving mission by donating through this link: Support St. Jude's Fundraiser.

Don’t miss Domino’s upcoming 50% off deal from 9/30 to 10/6—stay tuned for more details!

We are grateful to have Domino’s on board and look forward to growing this partnership to benefit our community!

Interested in Sponsoring Our Team?
If any businesses are interested in sponsoring our team, please contact us at info@lineagebjj.com and put "Team Sponsorship" in the subject line.

Important Dates This Month:

Seminar:
October 15, 2024 – Jean Vandersteen Gracie at Calvert MMA, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. $60 cash at the door.

Closures:

  • October 15: Lineage BJJ will be closed for the seminar at Calvert MMA. Adult BJJ classes are canceled that evening.

  • October 31: Halloween (Replacing Columbus Day Holiday)
    We’ve swapped the Columbus Day holiday for Halloween due to historically low attendance on Halloween. This adjustment better accommodates our team's needs.

Upcoming Competitions:

  • NewBreed:
    October 5, 2024, at Fredericksburg Field House, Fredericksburg, VA.

  • Liquid Swords (NoGi Sub Only):
    October 26, 2024, at 377 Central Avenue West, Davidsonville, MD.

  • Good Fight:
    November 9, 2024, at Benfield Sports Center, Millersville, MD.

  • Good Fight Worlds:
    December 14, 2024, at Olympic Hall at Spooky Nook, Manheim, PA.
    Note: Free admission for Youth and Adult competitors who won at States.

Congratulations to September Belt Promotions:

Celebrating Some of Our Recent Promotions from the Super Seminar – Sept 07, 2024

  • Grey/White Belt: Artie P.

  • Grey/Black: Madison P.

  • Yellow/White Belt: Porter F.

  • Blue Belt: Rick P., James P., Amanda B., Jason W.

  • Purple Belt: Jack S., Lindsey W., Floriano W., Gavin W., Seun S., Jon F., Luis M.

  • Brown Belt: Joe K., Raghav S., Gary M.

  • Black Belt: Sean S., Jesse D., Kevin S.

  • 1st Degree Black Belt: Josiah S.

Congratulations to all on your promotions!

Featured Technique of the Month: Self-Defense – Bear Hug from Behind (Under Arm Grab)

Technique Description:
If lifted, hook the attacker’s leg with your outside leg and lunge forward with your head and arms. If not lifted, bend your knees, push your hips back (base), and drive forward. Place both hands on the ground, arms locked out. Use one arm to hook behind the attacker’s ankle with a hook grip (no thumb), pushing on their upper thigh with your tailbone. Once they fall, step your inside leg 90° to prevent them from kicking you off. Push your outside knee into theirs and turn their foot and ankle in the opposite direction to escape.

Member Spotlight: Seun S.

This month, we are proud to spotlight Seun for his dedication, hard work, and positive influence within our community. Recently promoted to Purple Belt, Seun exemplifies what it means to be a committed student, an outstanding team member, and an exceptional person. He’s always ready to lend a hand, whether it’s teaching classes or coaching at tournaments. Seun’s selflessness and commitment to helping others grow make him a true team player.

Get to Know Seun:

How long have you been training Jiu-Jitsu?
“I’ve been training jiu-jitsu for 6-7 years. I started with boxing and MMA, but my coach encouraged me to try jiu-jitsu. From the first class, I was hooked.”

Do you have a favorite technique or position?
“I don’t have a favorite, but I’ve been exploring a lot lately, especially half guard.”

What do you enjoy most about teaching?
“Sharing my knowledge and learning from others. It’s amazing to see how people evolve in the art.”

What motivates you to coach?
“My motivation comes from watching our team grow. It’s all about progress, and it’s rewarding to see competitors execute what we’ve drilled.”

What drives your passion for Jiu-Jitsu?
“Simply put, it’s my passion for jiu-jitsu.”

Seun’s dedication, passion, and team-first mentality make him a vital part of our community. He sets an example for everyone, and we’re grateful to have him on our team. Keep up the great work, Seun!

Personal Note from the Lineage BJJ / Calvert MMA Staff

We are extremely proud of each and every one of you. This past year brought significant changes, and our community has grown stronger for it. Thank you all for being an essential part of our journey.

The super seminar was a huge success, and we want to congratulate everyone who was promoted. Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thanks to Chris Breedlove for cooking at the barbecue—it was fantastic! (And yes, we’ll keep sharp instruments away from him next time! 😂)

We’re excited to plan another large event like this in 2025. As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on how we can improve as a team, please share them with us. Our goal is to provide the best experience possible, not just on the mats but as a community.

Thank you for being a part of our family!

Stay Connected

Follow us on Social Media:

Lineage BJJ:

Calvert MMA:

Contact Us

Lineage BJJ

  • Official Website

  • Email: info@lineagebjj.com

  • Phone: 301-377-8773

  • Address: 44723 St. Andrews Church Road, California, MD 20619

Calvert MMA

  • Official Website

  • Email: info@calvertmma.com

  • Phone: 410-257-5425

  • Address: 25 Dalrymple Road, Sunderland, MD 20689

Ready to Improve Your Fitness and Learn Real Self-Defense?

Whether you want to get fit, learn effective self-defense, or compete, Lineage BJJ has something for everyone, from ages 3 and up. Join the largest and most successful martial arts community in Southern Maryland! As the only certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school in the area, we offer authentic training directly from the Gracie family and provide programs that build confidence, skills, and community.

Our fun and supportive environment is perfect for all ages and skill levels. Members of the Gracie family visit us throughout the year, enhancing our students' training experience with direct insights from the source. Try a class for free—it’s completely risk-free. Gain strength, mobility, confidence, and a community that supports your growth, on and off the mats. Contact us today to get started!

James Thrift

Retired PSS/TSI - U.S. Secret Service. Navy Veteran. Founder of Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA Academy. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 4th Degree Black Belt.

https://lineagebjj.com
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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu vs. Other Martial Arts: The Ultimate Self-Defense System